So those 170K don't matter in your world? They should just be content with having a higher crime rate than D.C. and be satisfied with their ------ lot?

Iowans are pissed and she knows it:

I was OK with this back in the 70's, and still am, regardless of who is pushing it. Righties think they are punishing poor people but ultimately it will probably be helpful.

The problem at the VA has been brewing for years, Trump et al have accelerated and exacerbated it. First time I was hired at the VA it took 8 months to get through all the committees and credentialing. That was in the mid 90's. Now it can take over a year, so in the meantime a professional will find other work and withdraw their application.

VFW et al are not 'just' social organizations. They have trained people to assist veterans obtain disability benefits for disabled vets. My apologies for not making that clear in my post.
Vets are often homeless due to mental illness, if it started during service or their service exacerbated it then they can receive a monthly benefit deposit.

If a Veteran needs help they should go to a service organization such as the VFW, American Legion, or their County Veteran Officer. They can advocate and navigate. Our county VSO has obtained millions of dollars for local vets.

There may not be a lot of fascists in the N.G., but there are a LOT of sheep. "I was just following orders."

I had my own PTSD and then started working at the VA. Should have written it up for vicarious PTSD. I have been on the Bataan Death March and various jungle excursions in Vietnam. 30 years later and my own deployment most of it is quiet now. I can go to a range if only myself and one other. Live under the flight line from St. Cloud to Camp Ripley so that can occasionally stir things up but much better than years ago. My personal trauma is related to Huey's so the UH 1's and Chinooks don't really bother me that much.
I don't go to the VA for groups anymore, just a pissing contest trying to one up each other as to who had the worst trauma, not very therapeutic imo.

"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, surrounded by --------."
Sigmund Freud

He may or may not have actually said this, but some people are just --------.

The DSM is now including so many of what use to be called the worried well. Look at how the number of people being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum disorder (neither associated with violence).

An old rule from the APA after the Goldwater debacle was that we are not to pontificate about individuals without evaluating them. Many of my colleagues are tossing that to the side to weigh in on social issues and politicians.

I read the article. No mention of prior mental illness. Do have other information?

Hope they help the two people still using it get connected.

Lamp - The VA has routinely been providing ED drugs for many years, getting menopausal hormone replacement has been difficult to impossible at many facilities.

Wonder if this will put a speed bump in the way of Trump's Nobel?

In MAGA world not at all a contradiction. Men write the rules so they can continue to rule. Next step, repeal suffrage.

Depending on the facility the VA may provide abortions. If not, they will contract with a civilian clinic or hospital; just as they do for many specialties. We don't have OB/surgery at our local hospital, so they get care in a civilian facility paid for by the VA. Similar process that is used here for Derm, Ophthalmology, Oncology.

Frankly, if the primary objective is combat readiness, a pregnant service member will require specialized care and limited duty.

The VA does not have anything to do with combat readiness, except for a few full time techs in the Guard or Reserve. They take care of Veterans that have served their time.

Earlier this year AIPAC Democrats stymied an impeachment bill against Trumpf because he attacked Iran's nuclear facilities. When will the Democratic Party rid itself of AIPAC so any and all impeachment bills against this madman occupying the White House go through?

It makes absolutely no difference what Democrats do. As long as there are 41 Republican Senators, Trump will not be convicted of any impeachment charges.

Dung beetles everywhere are offended.

Texas 2-year term. Election Cycle 2026, 2028. No Term Limit.
Partisan Composition: 25 Republican, 12 Democratic, 1 Vacancy

Ted Cruz
Incumbent
R
5,990,741
53.1%

Colin Allred
D
5,031,249
44.6%

Ted Brown
I
267,039
2.4%

Texas already has disproportionally given R's house seats. They should have 55%. Based on Trump V Harris it would be 56%.
Trump and his magic calculator.

FTA -Back in February, when Trump pitched F-35s to India, they were only meant as a stopgap measure given that the country's own fifth-generation fighters are ten years away.

So one, it was Trump that had the idea, why weren't you and the rest of the experts telling him it is stupid to start with.

I once gave a yellow card (soccer) to a lad for descent. His coach demanded to know what he said. Coach, the card is for his tone, demeanor and gesturing. If I told you what I thought he said then I would have to give a straight red, do you want to go there? Hijo de puta comes to mind.

"Trump is trying something new."

New? I trained at a hospital that had been an asylum from 1895 1976. The conditions were horrific.

We are in the northern part of the yellow. Didn't even lose a leaf. Impressive lightning display at dusk.
From what I understand didn't really develop into a true Derecho.